German for Asking for Advice: 'What would you do?' and 'Any advice?'
Learn to ask for advice in German using 'Was würdest du tun?' and 'Hast du einen Rat?' with polite phrasing and common responses.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Asking for advice is different from asking for a favor. In German, you use specific phrases to seek someone's opinion or recommendation. This lesson teaches you how to say 'What would you do?' and 'Any advice?' in natural, polite German. You'll learn the conditional form 'würdest', the noun 'Rat', and how to explain your situation briefly. By the end, you can ask for and understand advice in everyday conversations.
By the end, you can…
- ask for advice using 'Was würdest du tun?' and 'Hast du einen Rat?'.
- explain a simple problem or situation in German.
- understand and respond to advice given in German.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Was würdest du tun?
What would you do?
vahs VUER-dest doo toon
Use with friends, family, or colleagues you address with 'du'. For formal situations, say 'Was würden Sie tun?'.
Hast du einen Rat?
Do you have any advice?
hahst doo AY-nen raht
Informal singular. For formal, use 'Haben Sie einen Rat?'. 'Rat' is a masculine noun.
Ich habe ein Problem.
I have a problem.
ikh HAH-buh ine proh-BLAYM
A simple way to introduce your situation before asking for advice.
Was soll ich machen?
What should I do?
vahs zol ikh MAH-khen
More direct than 'Was würdest du tun?'. Use when you want a clear suggestion.
Kannst du mir einen Rat geben?
Can you give me some advice?
kahnst doo meer AY-nen raht GAY-ben
Polite and common. 'Rat' is used in the singular here; the plural 'Ratschläge' means 'pieces of advice'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for advice, use the conditional 'würdest' (would) with an infinitive at the end: 'Was würdest du tun?' (What would you do?). For formal, 'Was würden Sie tun?'. Another pattern is 'Hast du einen Rat?' (Do you have any advice?). You can also say 'Ich habe ein Problem. Was soll ich machen?' (I have a problem. What should I do?). Note that 'Rat' is masculine, so accusative is 'einen Rat'.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you want someone's opinion or suggestion, not when you need a favor. For example, if you can't decide between two jobs, say 'Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden. Was würdest du tun?' (I can't decide. What would you do?). If you want general advice, ask 'Hast du einen Rat?'. Avoid using 'Kannst du mir helfen?' (Can you help me?) because that asks for active help, not advice.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ich habe ein Problem. Ich weiß nicht, ob ich den Job wechseln soll.
I have a problem. I don't know if I should change jobs.ikh HAH-buh ine proh-BLAYM. ikh vahys nikht, op ikh dane yop VEKH-zeln zolWas würdest du denn gerne machen?
What would you like to do?vahs VUER-dest doo den GEHR-nuh MAH-khenIch weiß es nicht. Hast du einen Rat?
I don't know. Do you have any advice?ikh vahys es nikht. hahst doo AY-nen rahtIch würde mit deinem Chef sprechen, bevor du dich entscheidest.
I would talk to your boss before you decide.ikh VUER-duh mit DINE-em shef SHPREH-khen, beh-FOR doo dikh ent-SHAY-destA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, directness is valued, but when asking for advice, using the conditional 'würde' softens the request. Informal 'du' is common among friends and colleagues, but with strangers or in professional settings, use 'Sie'. For example, 'Was würden Sie tun?' is appropriate for a boss or someone you just met. Avoid using 'du' with authority figures unless they offer it first.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Was machst du?' to mean 'What would you do?'
Try this instead: 'Was machst du?' means 'What are you doing?' or 'What do you do?'. For advice, use 'Was würdest du tun?' with the conditional 'würdest'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a friend 'What would you do?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Was würdest du tun?
This uses the informal 'du' and the conditional 'würdest'. For formal, 'Was würden Sie tun?' is also correct.
2Translate: 'Do you have any advice?' (informal)
Show a sample answer
Hast du einen Rat?
'Rat' is masculine, so accusative is 'einen Rat'. 'Haben Sie einen Rat?' is the formal version.
3What is the difference between asking for advice and asking for a favor?
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Asking for advice seeks an opinion, while asking for a favor requests an action. In German, use 'Was würdest du tun?' for advice, and 'Kannst du mir helfen?' for a favor.
This distinction helps choose the right phrase. 'Kannst du mir helfen?' implies you want someone to do something, not just give an opinion.
To ask for advice in German, use 'Was würdest du tun?' or 'Hast du einen Rat?'. Remember to adjust for formal 'Sie' when needed, and avoid confusing advice with favors.
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